Method for applying tape



Dec. 12, 1961 w. HUGHES METHOD FOR APPLYING TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1959 INVENTOR W/ll/AM L HUGHl-S ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1961 w. L. HUGHES 3,012,481

METHOD FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR W/ZZ/AM L 1906/1 55 ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1961 w. 1.. HUGHES 3,0

METHOD FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 w 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W/lZ/AM L HUG/1 5$ ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1961 w. L. HUGHES 3,012,481

METHOD FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR W/lZ/AM L HUG/1'55 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,012,481 METHQD F012 APPLYING TAPE William L. Hughes, 742 E. 25th St., Norfolk, Va. Filed Sept. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 840,964 7 Claims. or. 93-1 The present invention relates to a method for applying tape, particularly a method for applying tear tape and pressure-sensitive rescaling tape to a packaging web or the like.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of applicants application Serial No. 685,689 for Package and Apparatus, filed September 23, 1957, issued August 16, 1960, as US. Patent No. 2,949,370, and application Serial No. 804,521 for Resealable Food Package, filed April 6, 1959, and issued July 4, 1961, as US. Patent No. 2,991,001.

conventionally, tear tape and pressure-sensitive tape are applied longitudinally to a packaging web. Usually a narrow roll source of such tapes is employed and roller means are utilized to pressurize the tapes upon the web surface. A principal shortcoming of such roll sources of tape is that their narrowness precludes utilization of tapes of great length. Thus, frequent shutdown of the apparatus is required for replenishment of roll sources of tape. Several apparatuses have been devised for the transverse positioning of such tapes upon a packaging web. However, these transverse positioners necessitate stopping advancement of a packaging web during application of the tape to the Web surface.

According to the present method tear tapes and pressure-sensitive tapes are applied transversely to a packag ing web without interrupting advancement of the web. The tape is formed longitudinally by severing transversely a relatively wide roll source of tape. If a tape tab is required to protrude from one edge of the packaging web, the roll source of tape may be of slightly greater width than the package web source. Since only a leading transverse portion of a wide roll source of tape is required for each application to the web surface, frequent replenishment of the tape roll source is not required. Also, according to the instant method a rotary cutter and carrier for the tape is employed. This cutter and carrier transversely sever a leading portion of the tape source and directly advances this leading portion upon the moving web which the cutter and carrier tangentially engages. Thus, the packaging web is continuously advanced and its speed limited only by the speed of the rotary cutter and carrier which positions severed tape transversely of and upon the advancing packaging web.

Accordingly, it is an object of invention to provide a method for transverse application of tape to a continuously advancing packaging web.

Another object of invention is to provide a method for the utilization of wide roll sources of tape.

Another object of invention is to provide rotary cutter and carrier means for the cutting of tape and application of same to an advancing packaging web surface.

Another object of invention is to provide an apparatus for continuously perforating a packaging web, applying a tear strip between pairs of perforations and applying a pressure-sensitive tape to span said pairs of perforations and said tear strips upon the web surface.

Yet, another object of invention is to provide a vacuum means for longitudinally supporting in its path an advancing packaging web.

Yet additional objects of invention will become apparent from the ensuing specification and attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a packaging apparatus utilizing a wide roll suorce of tear tape for transverse application to a packaging web,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wrapped package, employing a transverse tear tape transversely applied to the package web, according to the instant method,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for transversely applying the leading portion of a wide roll source of tear tape to a continuously moving package web,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a resealable cement bag or the like, embodying an inner flap portion 58 which is foldable over the rescaling surface, 7

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an apparatus for slitting a package web and applying pressure tape to span the slit for construction of the cement bag, according to FIG. 4,

P16. 6 is a schematic view of an apparatus for transversely slotting a continuously advancing packaging web and sequentially applying pressure tape to span each slot, said packaging web thus being prepared for use in a rescalable package,

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an apparatus for transversely perforating pairs of transverse strips in a continuously advancing packaging web, applying tear tape between said pairs of perforation strips and spanning with pressure-sensitive tape said tear tape and said pairs of perforation strips, said tear tape within the finished package being inwardly engageable for removing the packaging web between said pairs of perforation strips and thus inwardly exposing the pressure sensitive tape for rescaling actuation.

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of a packaging web embodying a rescaling tape 56 which is actuable upon pulling of tear tape 24 to remove a transverse portion of web 22 defined by perforations 100.

in FIG. 1 a packaging apparatus 10 is shown as comprising a packaging platform 12 (mounted upon legs 18), ingress conveyor 14 and egress conveyor 16.

In FIG. 2 food package 29, constructed by this apparatus, is shown as secured in package web or wrapper 22, which has heat sensitive tear tape 24- transversely disposed inwardly of the wrapper along dotted lines 26. A tab portion of tear tape 24 is exposed for exterior gripping and, thus, pulling the tape and transversely tearing wrapper 20 to open the package.

In FIG. 3 the packaging apparatus is illustrated schematically. In such an apparatus a wide roll source of tear tape 23 may be mounted adjacently of a roll source of packaging web 30. Packaging web 22 is advanced continuously from its roll source. As will be hereinafter explained, tear tape 24 is intermittently advanced from its wide roll source 23 adjacent feed rollers 44 upon cutting platform 42. Feed roller 32 for moving package web 22 and having peripheral cushion means 34 may be employed. Tear tape rotary cutter and carrier 36 is journalled for forming longitudinally by severing transversely a leading portion of tear tape 24 and sequentially tangentially en gaging the continuously advancing packaging web 22. Cutter and carrier 36 may comprise one or more spokes 37 which have at their ends transverse cutter blades 38 and adjacent carrying cushions 40. Intermediate cutting platform 42 and idler roller cushion surface. 44, heatactivated conveyor plate 50 may be employed. Tear tapej drive means consist of ratchet wheel 46 to which is pivoted angular arm 48. Subsequently, to severing transversely a leading portion of tear tape 24, cutter blade 38 strikes arm 48, thus pivoting same and causing roller 46 which engages the tear tape surface to advance another leading portion of tear tape for severing transversely. Insulator 51 may be employed intermediate heat activated conveyor plate 50 and cutting platform 42. As the cut tear tape is carried downwardly against heat activator 50 its heatsensitive surface is activated for adherence upon continuously advancing packaging web 22.

According to this construction, wide roll source 28 of tear tape may be of widths of one yard or greater, since the tear tape is applied transversely of the advancing web. Also, a tab portion of the tape may be permitted to extend laterally of advancing web 22. As will be apparent, this method of applying tear tape permits extremely rapid and continuous advancement of the packaging web 22.

In FIG. 4 resealable cement bag 5'4 is illustrated as having peripheral slit 60 over which pressure-sensitive tape 56 is applied so that its pressure sensitive surface extends inwardly of bag 54. Inner flap portion 58 of the bag is provided for folding over slot 60 and shielding the exposed pressure-sensitive surface of tape 56 during removal of the bag contents.

In FIG. 5 packaging web 22, used for making bag 54 is shown as continuously advancing about feed roller 32 and onto Web cutter roller 78 hich is journalled upon shaft 32 by means of bearings 38 or the like. Packa ing web 22 is removed from web cutter roller '78 by means of idler rollers 63 which are provided for folding flap 58 against and parallel to the lower surface of packaging web 22.

According to the FIG. 5 construction rotary transverse cutter 74 having slitter blade 76 is journalled for tangentially engaging the advancing packaging web surface above female cutter portions 36. This engagement causes a slitting of web 22 and pushing of flap 58 perpendicularly to the advancing web surface. Once slit the advancing web surface is supported longitudinally by means of vacuum holes 84. Pressure-sensitive tape wide roll 62 is journalled adjacently of the advancing packaging web for introducing pressure-sensitive tape 56 through feed rollers 64 and 70 the latter of which may have transverse perforator notches 72. Beyond feed rollers 64 and 70, pressure-sensitive tape 56 is urged onto cutting platform 42 by means of feed rollers 44. Rotary cutter 36 having blade portion 38 and cushion portion 49 is journalled for engaging and transversely severing a leading portion of the pressure-sensitive tape 56, thence tangentially engaging comb like feed surface 66 and moving packaging web 22. As in the apparatus of FIG. 3, cutter blade 38 engages arm 48 pivoted to ratchet wheel 46, thus pivoting the arm and advancing a leading portion of pressure-sensitive tape 56 sequentially of cutting. As rotary cutter 36 proceeds downwardly over comb-like surface 66, it engages continuously advancing packaging web 22 and there applies tape portion 56 transversely to span transverse slit 60, formed previously by cutter bar 74. In this as in the apparatus of FIG. 3, wide roll 62 may be of a width of one or more yards and, since only a sixteenth inch leading portion or the like is cut with each rotation of cutter 36, frequent replenishment of the wide roll source 62 is unnecessary.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated an apparatus for slotting of a continuously advancing packaging web 22 and sequentially transversely cutting a wide roll tape source 62 and applying pressure-sensitive tape 56 to overlie the slot so made. In this construction, cutter roller 78 has female portions 92 for receiving hollow ground blade 90 of tangentially rotating cutter 88. Transverse vacuum chambers 94 communicate with female portions 92 for removal of transverse web strips made in slotting of web 22 by blade 90 tangentially engaging the moving web. Pressure tape 56 is introduced, and transversely cut similarly as in the apparatus of FIG. 5 and applied to span the transverse slot made in the advancing package web.

In FIG. 7 apparatus for applying applicants improved reseal means, illustrated in FIG. 8 is shown. This resealing means is described in applicants co-pending application Serial Number 804,521 for Resealable Food Package. Packaging web 22 is introduced onto cutting roller 78, having female perforation dies 92 and the advancing packaging web 22 is engaged tangentially by rotary perforator 96 which has perforator blades 98. Blades 98 cut in pairs parallel strips of perforations 100 transversely of the advancing web 22. Sequentially tear tape 24, being transversely cut, is applied intermediate all the pairs of parallel strips of perforations by means of cutter 38, as in the preceding constructions. Again sequentially, pressure-sensitive tape 56 is similarly transversely cut and introduced to span tear tape 24, as well as the pairs of perforations 1th Thence, the packaging web 22 is continuously advanced to the packaging area. Packages formed from this web construction are thus provided with an inwardly actuable tear tape 24 which is engageable to remove a peripheral slot in the package and thus expose pressure-sensitive tape 56 for rescaling engagement unto itself. As will be apparent, the instant apparatuses may be used for transversely cutting and applying tapes to other than packaging webs. For example, the apparatuses wouid have immediate appliczu tion in the newsprint and textile treatment industries. In fact, apparatuses are applicable to treatment of all types of moving Webs. Inasmuch as there is a simplicity of parts the apparatuses are not subject to frequent breakdown and require only a minimum of maintenance. Since the web may be advanced continuously during cutting and application of the tape, tape treatment of the web may be made at great speed and thus there is increased production opportunity.

It is to be understood that the form of invention, herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the some, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of invention, or the scope of the suhjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Method for applying pressure-sensitive rescaling means to a packaging web comprising advancing said web and tape from respective sources, fully transversely severing and sequentially folding the trailing edge of the severed web so as to create a slot in said web, forming longitudinally by severing transversely a leading portion of said tape and positioning severed tape to span said slot.

2. Method for applying pressure sensitive rescaling means to a packaging web comprising advancing said web and tape from respective roll sources, transversely slotting said web, forming longitudinally by severing transversely a leading portion of said tape and laying said tape to span severance of said Web.

3. Method according to claim 2, including supporting said web longitudinally by vacuum means.

4. Method for applying a pressure-sensitive rescaling means to a packaging web comprising advancing tear tape, rescaling tape and packaging web from respective sources, transversely perforating pairs of lines in said web, severing a leading portion of said tear tape, positioning said tear tape within said pairs of lines and upon said web, severing a leading portion of said resealing tape and positioning said resealing tape upon said Web so as to span said pairs of lines of perforation and said tear tape positioned between said pairs.

5. An apparatus for applying rescaling tape to a package web comprising sources of tear tape, pressure-sensitive tape and packaging web journalled in a frame: drive means mounted in said frame and engaging said web; a dual line perforator rotatably journalled in said frame and transversely engageable with said web so as to cut pairs of perforation lines therein; a rotary tear tape cutter and carrier mounted in said apparatus and transversely engageable with a leading portion of said tear tape for cutting, carrying and positioning same upon said web between said dual lines; a conveyor plate mounted in said frame intermediate said leading portion of tear tape and said web; tear tape drive means mounted in said apparatus, juxtaposed with said tear tape, and pivotable into the rotatable path of said cutter, pivoting action of said tear tape drive means when contacted by said cutter causing intermittent advancement of said tear tapes, a rotary pressure tape cutter and carrier mounted in said apparatus and transversely engageable with a leading portion of said pressure tape and tangentially engageable with said web, pressure tape drive means mounted in said apparatus, juxtaposed with said pressure tape, and pivotable into the rotatable path of said cutter, pivoting action of said pressure tape drive means when contacted by said cutter causing intermittent advancement of said pressure tape; a tape guide plate positioned in said frame intermediate said leading portion of tape and said web; said rotary pressure tape cutter and carrier cutting a leading portion of pressure tape and carrying it upon said guide means to span perforations and tear tape upon said web.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, including tear tape heating means mounted in said apparatus tangentially of said tear tape rotary cutter.

7. Method for applying pressure-sensitive rescaling means to a packaging web comprising advancing said web and a pressure-sensitive tape from respective sources, fully transversely cutting said Web, forming longitudinally by severing transversely a leading portion of said tape, and positioning severed tape upon said advancing web so as to span said cutting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,545 Alexander Jan. 8, 1935 2,683,401 Smith June 13, 1954 2,776,606 Fischer et al. Jan. 8, 1957 2,865,261 Seragnoli Dec. 23, 1958 

